Judgement

RANGANATH MISRA, J. :- The petitioner, an advocate by profession is the General Secretary of Public Interest Law Service Society, Cochin. In his application as amended on 7th Feb., 1983, under Art. 32 of the Constitution he has asked for directions, in public interest, banning import, manufacture, sale and distribution of such drugs which have been recommended for banning by the Drugs Consultative Committee and has also asked for cancellation of all licences authorising import, manufacture, sale and distribution in respect of such drugs. He has also asked for a direction to the Central Government to constitute a high-powered Authority to go into the hazards suffered by people of the country on account of such drugs being in circulation and suggest remedial measures including award of compensation. He has further prayed that directions should be given for framing of strict regulations to ensure the quality and standard of approved drugs and to ensure weeding out of same, harmful as also injurious drugs from the market. The petitioner has alleged that the drug industry in India is dominated by multi-national Corporations originally based in U.S.A., U.K., Federal Republic of